salmagundy
Boras' Client
Carpenter hits 1st pitch he sees from Kimbrel into seats for the game winner in 10th inning. Cubs now trail Cards by 4(Brewers trail Cards by 3). Cubs now 1 game back of Brewers, 2 games back of Nats in WC race.
Around The Majors 2019
- Thread starter CrimsonCowboy
- Start date
tululush
New member
Maybe I’m having flashbacks to our underwhelming playoff performances, but does anyone else see how well the Cardinals have been playing and get fearful that yet again we get to face the hottest team going in to the playoffs? I really don’t want to deal with another underwhelming playoff run from us.
the Mets and Nats were hot too
NYCBrave
Well-known member
FYI the Cardinals are 5-5 in their last 10. It's not like they're setting the world on fire. They just lost series to Colorado and Milwaukee before taking 2 of 3 from the Nats.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
We didn’t face for Mets and Nats in the playoffs.
Fastball averages 96.4 which is the 2nd worst of his career after his rookie season. This year is also the only year he's failed to reach 100 mph on a single pitch. He's 31. The signs are all there.
It was their playoffs.
Velocity on fastball is not as important as command and movement. Don't know how those grade out. Major league hitters can hit 100 just fine.
Also, if your velocity delta on your pitches stays the same then it doesn't make as much of a difference.
It's all related. Kimbrel FA's has dropped by 2 MPH in 2 years. Not going to be surprised if he needs TJ before his contract with the Cubs is up. His K/9, as great as it is this year, is still the lowest of his career. He's done.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
Now one thing that does worry me about the Cardinals is facing Jack Flaherty twice in a short series. He's been flat out dominant the 2nd half. His run reminds me a bit of the run Kris Medlen went on for us in 2012. But we all know how that turned out in the wild card game!
Surgery could happen at anytime and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it was needed because well pitching. The contact percentage is up and swinging strike rate is down.
Those are definitely concerning signs but its still a small sample with a non-traditional start to the year.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
Are they playing THAT well? Flaherty and the bullpen do worry me. The offense, not so much.
Cards are 11-8 in Sept. But they have hit roughly the same as the Braves and pitched a lot better than the Braves in Sept. Braves are a better team imo but it should be a good series. Cards have had good luck in the ERA to FIP difference and it's even bigger in Sept. I feel like that's something that would regress hard in the playoffs if that were the Braves. Hopefully that happens to the Cards. The Braves, imo, have really worked over starters well in big games against the Mets and Nats recently so hopefully that translates to the playoffs.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
Not sure comparing September performance is the best. Braves have pretty much only faced the Phillies and Nationals this month. Cardinals have faced Colorado, Cincinatti, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati. All teams under 500, aside from their series with Nats and Brewers.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
They also just lost Wong to hamstring injury. He had bee one of their hotter hitters.
Good point. On the season the Braves have the 3rd best winning percentage against teams over .500 and overall the most wins. The Braves have had 92 games against teams over .500 which is by far the most among division leaders going 52-40. The cards are 37-38. Braves have really earned their top spot.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
We would be narrowly favored over the Cards. But anything can happen in a short series.
We just played 7 games against the gnats and fillies each. Ended up 5-2 against the gnats and 3-4 against the syphilitic fillies. No one was punting those games. Just goes to show you anything can happen between reasonably competitive teams in a 5 or 7 game series.
It really does magnify some of the tough roster choices. Is having Hamilton on the roster a better move than having an extra pitcher or hitter. There is no way of knowing how the games are going to unfold. AA and company have to crunch the numbers and play the odds.
We just played 7 games against the gnats and fillies each. Ended up 5-2 against the gnats and 3-4 against the syphilitic fillies. No one was punting those games. Just goes to show you anything can happen between reasonably competitive teams in a 5 or 7 game series.
It really does magnify some of the tough roster choices. Is having Hamilton on the roster a better move than having an extra pitcher or hitter. There is no way of knowing how the games are going to unfold. AA and company have to crunch the numbers and play the odds.
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cajunrevenge
Well-known member
I have always been of the belief that young teams do better in the playoffs than the traditionally favored veteran teams. I also think our team speed gives us an advantage in close games.